South African signs to play for Sounders

The Sounders have signed 21-year-old South African soccer sensation Dylin Pillay, a former member of the South Africa U-20 national team and a three-time Junior Player of the Year in his homeland.

Sounders General Manager Brad Kimura said he hopes Pillay, a forward, can secure international clearance to play in the United States and obtain a visa in time to play in Sunday's second of a back-to-back home series against the El Paso Patriots.

"He'd be the first South African player for the Sounders," said Kimura, who signed Pillay for the rest of this season with an option for 2002. "Signing him meets with the Sounders' gateway-to-the-world vision. He's a future developmental player for us who's young."

Former Huskies standout Craig Waibel, a 1999 UW graduate, has been loaned by Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer to start at defender for today's home game against El Paso at Memorial Stadium.

Pillay, who played most recently with AmaZulu F.C. of South Africa's Premier League, signed with the Sounders (13-6-2 overall) as a free agent July 23. Pillay turned pro when has was 18.

Pillay was granted a tryout with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars before the 2001 MLS season and was scheduled to try out with the Tampa Bay Mutiny before then-coach Tom Hankinson was fired.

Pillay will wear No. 11 for Seattle when he is cleared to play.